Extracurriculars

Your Facilitator will organize two optional activities during free afternoons or evenings. Details and costs for these Extracurriculars will be provided one month in advance, and if you choose to participate, we will handle the booking. For outings such as concerts, performances, or tastings, your Facilitator will accompany you to the event.

These optional activities complement the many ways you’ll personalize your experience through Self-Guided Study and free time.

Extracurriculars for this course may include:

Street Food Walk Through Palermo
Palermo’s streets tell stories—in stone, in sound, and perhaps most vividly, in flavor. On this walk through the city’s historic quarters, we’ll sample the signature street foods that reflect Sicily’s multicultural past and enduring appetite for bold, unfussy cuisine. Expect to taste panelle (crispy chickpea fritters), arancine (saffron rice balls stuffed with ragù or cheese), and sfincione (a thick, spongy pizza topped with tomato, onion, anchovies, and breadcrumbs). Each bite carries a piece of the city’s layered history—and makes a compelling case for why Palermo is considered one of the world’s great street food capitals.

Evening Performance at the Teatro Massimo or Politeama
Palermo’s grand 19th-century theaters remain vital gathering places for music, opera, and dance. Depending on the season, we’ll attend a performance at either the majestic Teatro Massimo—Italy’s largest opera house—or the neoclassical Teatro Politeama. Whether it’s Verdi or contemporary Sicilian choreography, the evening offers not only cultural enrichment but a window into Palermo’s ongoing artistic revival and civic spirit.

Excursion to Monreale
A short drive from Palermo, the hillside town of Monreale offers a sweeping change of pace—and one of the island’s most extraordinary architectural treasures. The 12th-century cathedral is renowned for its glittering Byzantine mosaics, among the finest in the world, and its cloister is a tranquil masterpiece of Arab-Norman design. After exploring the cathedral, we’ll linger in the hilltop air with a relaxed lunch or aperitif overlooking the famed Conca d’Oro, the “Golden Shell” valley once filled with citrus groves. It’s an unhurried way to take in Sicily’s natural beauty and centuries-old layers of cultural expression.

Boat Excursion Along the Palermo Coast
Sicily has always been shaped by the sea—and seeing Palermo from the water offers a striking new perspective on the city’s dramatic coastline. We’ll board a small boat for a scenic cruise past historic ports, rocky coves, and the skyline of Palermo framed by Monte Pellegrino. Spend the afternoon enjoying the city from a different angle, with sea breezes and panoramic views.